Onondaga, NY -- The five remaining wild horses living on Onondaga Nation-owned land without food or water were removed by animal rescue volunteers this afternoon, Central New York SPCA Executive Director Paul Morgan said.

The seven dead horses discovered on the land have also been buried there, Morgan said. He said there was fresh dirt near the back of the property indicating a grave site, though he did not know who buried the horses.

Town of Onondaga Horse RescueSPCA staffers and animal rescue volunteers have removed 14 horses, described by SPCA Executive Director Paul Morgan as in very poor condition, from a 156 acre farm on Bailer Road in the town of Onondaga. Seven other horses have been found dead on the property owned by the Onondaga Nation. A half-dozen Clan Mothers from the Onondaga Nation showed up Monday afternoon February 25, 2013 after being alerted to the poor conditions. Morgan said the Onondaga Nation was cooperating fully with his rescue efforts. Video by Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com (2:02)

The live horses have been transported to a farm in the area for evaluation and treatment by a veterinarian. One of the horses rescued Monday displayed symptoms of colic, a term that encompasses a variety of gastrointestinal conditions in horses and can be deadly, but is now "up on its feet," Morgan said.

Several Clan Mothers from the Onondaga Nation have visited the farm throughout the week after being alerted to the horses' poor condition.

In a joint statement on Monday, they expressed their dismay: "We all just feel bad about this," the Clan Mothers said. "We weren't aware this was happening. These are animals, they deserve a better live than what they've had here. It's heart-breaking."

Francine Lyons, one of the Clan Mothers, was not at the farm today as the SPCA completed their rescue, but said that most residents of the Nation are upset about the situation.

"Everybody's just kind of shocked," Lyons said. She added that no specific people have been identified as having been responsible for the condition of the horses.

The Onondaga Nation is assisting with the costs of transporting and rehabilitation of the 14 horses, Morgan said.

The SPCA received reports earlier this month of the mistreated horses, but it is unclear how long they have lived on the land. Morgan said he believes the horses predate the Nation's ownership of the property.

No charges have been filed by the SPCA in connection with the horses. The investigation is ongoing.